Youngsters urged to report concerns about knives as dispersal order comes into force in Swadlincote

Derbyshire Constabulary is seeking to reassure residents living in Swadlincote following three serious crimes in the town in recent days.

A dispersal order has now been granted in the area to give officers extra powers to move on people causing anti-social behaviour.

We have shared with you details of an incident which took place in an alleyway at the side of the Odeon cinema, in Coppice Side, just before 10.40pm on Saturday 12 June. Tragically, 17-year-old Benjamin Orton died that evening and a 20-year-old man he was with suffered serious injuries. Two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy have now been charged in connection with these crimes.

On Tuesday, June 15, the police appealed for your help as we launched an investigation into a stabbing which took place in the town’s Eureka Park shortly before 8pm. A 19-year-old was injured in the incident and he remains in hospital.

Two young men aged 17 and 18, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder while the 64-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They remain in custody this evening and are being questioned by detectives.

All three victims suffered stab wounds. Detectives are investigating whether there is any link between the two cases and patrols in the town have been increased.

Dispersal order

Police officers have been granted additional powers to help them deal with any anti-social behaviour in Swadlincote in the coming days.

A dispersal order came into force at 4pm on Wednesday 16 June and runs until 4pm on Friday 18 June. More than a dozen dispersal notices have been issued already this afternoon.

The order allows police to disperse people from parts of Swadlincote, and if they are involved in instances of anti-social behaviour, take anyone under 16 back to their home. The map below shows the area covered by the order:

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter said: “What has happened in Swadlincote in recent days is upsetting and I understand that people in the town feel shocked. Some families may feel worried about their children, particularly if they are teenagers.

“I want to reassure people living in Swadlincote that crimes like this are rare in the town. Please don’t be afraid that this is a regular occurrence in the area. Knife crime in the county is relatively low but it is particularly low in south Derbyshire.

“We are committed to tackling knife crime and have a well-established knife prevention campaign, which sees us working alongside other organisations to identify young people at risk of carrying a knife and steer them away from this path.”

Young people urged to help bring knife crime down

Carl Tring-Willis is one of Derbyshire Constabulary's independent community advisors and chair of the Independent Advisory Group. He said: “I want to urge parents and carers to talk to their children about knife crime and who they can speak to if they are worried someone they know is carrying a knife.

“I understand that some young people may not feel comfortable talking to an adult about knives, or they may be worried about getting a friend into trouble.

“Two people have been injured by knives in the town in recent days and one young man has sadly lost his life. Surely this in itself shows that no good can come from carrying a blade. If you feel you can’t talk to someone you know, please consider passing information anonymously to Home - Fearless – you won’t be asked for any personal details but the information you give could help save lives.”

Extra patrols are taking place in the town. Please approach one of our officers if you want to raise any concerns, or pass on any information. If you would prefer to contact us online, please use the following methods:

• Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
• Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/ContactUs.
• Phone – call us on 101.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

17 June 2021